The Write Foundation – “Sentence to Paragraph” Writing Curriculum

Towards the end of last year Wendy, a fellow homeschool mom and friend of mine, handed me a flyer from a homeschool group in the next town over. It listed their upcoming support group meetings and the guest speakers for each meeting. One of the guest speakers was Rebecca Celsor of The Write Foundation. At the time, I was disenchanted with the writing program offered in our current curriculum and was having little success finding one that was a good match for me and my kids. So, I made plans with my friend to go and hear what Rebecca had to say about her curriculum’s methodology, hoping it would be different from everything I had seen so far.

To make a long story short, it WAS different. Not only was the curriculum different, but so was Rebecca’s approach. She did not sit and lecture us about why she thought her writing program was the best, instead she showed us. After introducing herself and her husband, Rebecca put us through the paces of a typical lesson from her Sentence to Paragraph curriculum, including group and independent work. About an hour and 15 minutes later I was sold. She opened my eyes to a new approach of building strong sentences that, in turn, built strong paragraphs.

As we left the support meeting I told Wendy I planned to go home, get online, and purchase the Level 1: Sentence to Paragraph curriculum. She nudged me and said, “You should teach it at Co-op next year so I can put my daughter in your class.” I laughed and launched back, “Fine, I’ll teach your daughter to write if you’ll teach mine upper level Math.” We struck a deal right there in the parking lot and true to form this year I’m teaching the Sentence to Paragraph course for 6th-8th graders and Wendy is teaching Emelie in her Algebra 1 course.

Structure

An important aspect of this writing system’s methodology is that it backs-up to move forward. Common sense dictates that before a student can write a strong paragraph they must first be able to write a strong sentence. The first 6 lessons are spent reviewing basic grammar and very basic sentence structure. For instance, in Lesson 1 students are taught that a complete sentence is a complete thought and that each complete sentence will have both a subject and a verb.

Beginning in Lesson 7 Block Outlines are introduced, incorporating a more structured organization to the student’s writing. The fundamental skills of brainstorming and outlining set the foundation for future paragraphs.

Lessons 8-23 continue teaching sentence structure, but also give steps to set-up and write a basic paragraph before advancing students to writing two-paragraph papers/week. Additional guidelines and writing checklists are given to students to self-correct their work.

Finally, in Lessons 24-30 students expand their brainstorming and outlining skills, continuing through with their rough drafts and edits, until they get to the final copy.

In addition to sentence to paragraph writing skills, each lesson includes creative poetry instruction, e.g. the first 3 Lessons teach Alliteration, Concrete Poetry, and Alphabet Acrostic Poetry. The poetry lessons reinforce the grammar instruction, as well as the parts and figures of speech, which ultimately stretches skills that reinforce their writing.

Visual Element

The element of this writing program that immediately grabbed my attention was how the sentences visually connect to each other in a paragraph. The student’s brainstorming, outlining and composing work is visually distinguished by different color highlighting. At first I thought all the sentence highlighting might be cumbersome busy-work, but as I’ve taught each lesson it is obvious that this visual component of tying things together with color codes works magnificently.

Specific color codes are used to identify the Introductory and Concluding sentences, as well as the Supporting Sentences in between. The color coding initially begins in the Block Outline, extends into the Paragraph Organization, and wraps up in the Final Copy. At a glance students can quickly see their supporting sentences to evaluate whether they actually “support” the topic. Because the Introductory and Concluding Sentences share the same color, students can also see whether their Concluding Sentence restates the topic and gives a concluding point of view. As Rebecca so poignantly wrote in her Writing Instruction guide, “They are learning to paint pictures with words.”

Planning

Sentence to Paragraph is Level 1 of The Write Foundation’s writing program; there are three levels total. Each level is designed to be completed in either 1 or 2 years, depending on the schedule the parent/Co-op chooses and the maturity or abilities of the student. Rebecca has detailed proper age appropriate placement for the different Levels of her curriculum on her website.

Since each level contains 30 lessons, I opted to teach a single level in a year for our Co-op. My classes are 1 1/2 hours, one day a week. We just completed Lesson 11 and will complete Lesson 13 before we break for Christmas. The Spring Semester is longer than our Fall Semester, so we will get the additional 17 lessons in following Christmas Break.

I teach an entire lesson during each class, working through examples with students, and then send them home for Independent Work. We schedule Meredith’s work out over the course of the next 4 days because experience has taught us that if she works on it in bite-size chunks she does a more thorough job. She is also more apt to stop and look up more descriptive adjectives in her Thesaurus, or reformat a sentence that doesn’t flow, when the work doesn’t linger too long.

As you can see in the photo at top, the supplies required for the class are pretty basic. Students need a 3-ring binder and divider tabs, the Lesson Worksheets, notebook paper, pens/pencils, 6 highlighters, a pocket thesaurus, and a dictionary.

This is a writing program I believe any parent could comfortably teach-even those who call themselves “non-writing” parents. Rebecca is a customer service dream, readily and efficiently responding to any questions I’ve had via email or phone. I have also purchased the Level 2: Paragraph Writing to teach next year, and expect to buy the Level 3: Essay Writing two years from now.

By the time students move through all three levels of the curriculum from The Write Foundation they will have learned the skills to write a formal college level 5-paragraph essay, formal research paper, and have experience with timed essays.

Now that I’m nearly halfway through the Sentence to Paragraph curriculum, I can honestly say I am so very glad Wendy and I drove to that particular support meeting. However, kudos still must go to Rebecca Celsor for her approach/introduction of her writing system. If she hadn’t “taught” us using her own curriculum, I might never have given it a second look. And this writing program is most definitely worth a second look.

About the Author: A faith blogger and homeschooling parent, Heather Sanders is recognized for coining the term faithsizing to define her journey to find peace and contentment through Christ while embracing a simpler lifestyle.Visit her blog or follower her on Instagram.

Heather Sanders

Hi. I’m Heather, a freelance writer living in Huntsville, a smallish town on the tail-end of the East Texas Pineywoods.
Twenty years ago, I married Jeff, the love of my life, and shortly after, we chose to “go forth and multiply.” We have three kids: Emelie, Meredith and Kenny. We homeschool. It's what we do, and it works for us.
Tired of feeling overwhelmed, we recently "faithsized" our family into a 960 square foot lake cabin in need of renovation. I write at HeatherSanders.com about faith and simplifying your desires so you can be content right here and right now

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Comments

http://pebblekeeper.wordpress.com Angie Wright

We have been using the Write Foundation, Sentence to Paragraph Writing 1-30 this past year as well. I LOVE the results it has created in my 8th grade dyslexic, slow to read, slower to write son! It felt overwhelming at first, she gives you so much training for the parent, but to just sit, and do the lessons together, after the first day, it went smoothly! I hands down (up?) recommend this for boys wanting to learn writing, grow in their written vocabulary, and moms who have no idea how to teach writing. I don’t work for the company, just a really really happy customer! Way out in Oregon.

Christi

Sounds exactly like what I want my kids to learn! Thanks for sharing.

Missy

My son is taking the Paragraph Writing class from Mrs. Celsor’s daughter this year. I have no doubt the class has changed his writing for the best. He is even excited about taking the Essay Class next year.

I had come across this program a couple years ago but decided to stick with the curriculum I was using at the time. Now I wish I would had taught the Sentence to Paragraph class. It is an easy program to follow and it lays out a pattern for writing that can be used for a lifetime. Love it!

http://www.susanbowers.typepad.com Susan

This sounds like a rewarding writing foundation. Thanks so much for sharing. We are using the character-based writings from Institute for Excellence in Writing. Although very difficult, and time-consuming, I am thrilled with the level of instruction the curriculum offers. My twins are taking this in co-op (we are new to co-op this year) and it is taught by an amazingly patient and gentle lady which is needed for this writing curriculum. I had considered pulling my boys out because of the difficulty and time commitment but checked myself quickly that difficult doesn’t mean bad. I believe my boys will reap the rewards in the long haul.

As a former educator (yep..ya’ll can close your mouths now) I love the fact that this one not only incorporates structure but also leaves room to let the creativity soar. Woohoo!!!! Now that’s what it’s all about. “Just sayin’……….

From the frosty hills and hollers of the wonderful Missouri Ponderosa, ya’ll have a most blessed and beautiful weekend!!!! :o)

Meredith C.

What age group/grade level is the first level targeted at? Thanks!

Margie L.

This sounds like an excellent approach. I have a degree in Sec. Ed/English and taught for a few years around staying home with my four children. All are public school grads, but my 23 year old son still has major trouble writing. He’s been diagnosed with adult ADHD. He’s dropped out of college twice because he “doesn’t like to write”, gets behind in his papers, and quits. How can I get information on this curriculum and prices? It sounds like something he might be willing to do with the once a week blocks of time. My oldest two daugters are good writers, my youngest (19yrs old) has trouble, and has also been diagnosed with adult ADHD. She likes to write, but doesn’t write as clearly as she needs to for college level work. She’s majoring in Mass Communications so writing is a skill she needs to improve. I’ve tried, but I’m not on board with the approach our county school systems uses. Prices and contacts would be greatly appreciated! My email is ladymarge77@hotmail.com.

Shelly

Heather, I just want to thank you for highlighting this writing curriculum. I went to the website and I liked what they had to say about readiness levels. My oldest daughter is 14, and while she can write a decent paper using proper grammar and spelling, I have felt that she could use more help in learning to better organize her thoughts. My second daughter is 13 and struggles with dyslexia and dysgraphia and it is quite evident with her current workbooks that she still has trouble distinguishing between an introductory sentence and a supporting sentence. I feel that color coding the sentences has the potential to be particularly effective for her! My boys are younger, and they’re all dyslexic too and we are still struggling through reading and spelling. I’ll admit that I sometimes feel guilt when my friend’s kids are writing creative papers and mine still struggle to write a sentence and I still have to dictate their basic paragraphs for them to copy. It is just nice to hear someone selling a writing program emphasize that a child really needs to be mentally ready to tackle the subject. I could just hug her for that! I will be e-mailing the site to my hubby to give him a heads up on this program, I’d never heard of it until today and I’m extremely interested in it for our homeschool now.

Rachel in Texas

Heather, I would love to teach this at our co-op! What price range should I quote to the parents?

Nicki

Thanks for sharing! I’ve been looking into this curriculum but there just isn’t much information out there about it. Now I just need to find something to do for the next year until my son is ready for it!

Amy Hallagin

Thank you so much for sharing this!! I just spent quite a while on their website & got so excited!! I, too, was never taught how to write, so therefore, I have no idea how to teach my children (16, 12 & 11) how to write. This is one area where our homeschool is failing in. I have spent a lot of $$ on different writing curriculums in the past only to start it & become very frustrated with it & let it sit on the shelf & collect dust. All those curriculums have just been put in the “for sale” box & The Write Foundation just went into my cart & is on it’s way to my house. I will spend our Christmas break becoming familiar with this & we will be starting in January. We have also just started a co-op at our church. Who knows, this class may show up on our Spring class schedule. Again, thank you so much for sharing this with us!

Lauren Crews

I’m an 8th grade English teacher in the public schools. I use a very similar program called Step-Up To Writing that almost exactly follows this program. The key is really highlighting what is written. Several schools in our county use Step-Up and one went from scoring dead last in writing to first! What you have shared is a wonderful tool!!

http://farmersinthecity.blogspot.com the farmer's wife

Thanks so much! One question, which grade levels is this geared toward?

Lisa Mc

I think we will relocate from Katy to Huntsville just to be a part of your co-op!!! Not sure one as strong is down here. If you know of one let me know! My kids aren’t even in kindergarten yet, but I spend a lot of mental energy contemplating our education options.

http://www.omsh.com OMSH

The suggested age levels are 11-14, but Rebecca is quick to tell parents to pay attention to the maturity and ability of their own children. Since you can do the whole thing in 3 years, it doesn’t hurt to start a child at age 14.

http://www.omsh.com OMSH

Rachel, I had the parents order the curriculum off the website ($70 + tax/shipping), though if you contact Rebecca there may be a price break after a certain number (then you would need to collect the parent monies and order all at once). In that case you would only need to purchase one of your student, use that teacher’s guide for ALL of your students, and buy your own child’s supplies. I charge a copy fee because when we purchased the curriculum didn’t integrate the Assignment sheets with the curriculum and I’ve had to print them out, with Mind Benders (logic quizzes) each week for all my students.

I think examples are so helpful. When I was in college, I could not understand the steady B grade I received in my English class. (I actually thought I should be getting lower grades.) So the professor had me read some C papers and A papers and asked what I felt were the differences between them. I could see then that my papers were structurally and grammatically correct, earning them the B as compared to the C essays, but they were missing that extra spark that made the A papers so enjoyable to read. I am not sure you can teach all students to produce A papers, as I think there is certainly a talent for writing that comes from within, but a good foundation in communicating in a written form is never wasted.

Crissy

Thank you for this. Sentence to Paragraph looks like just what I have been searching for for my 12 yo. His older brother is a natural writer, but I’m having a difficult time finding the right approach this time around.
I’ve ordered this first level and I am feeling hopeful!

Suzanne

Thank you!!! I’ve been waking up at night with my head aching and my heart pounding because I have not found a good way to teach writing to my 12 year old. He fights it tooth and nail, and lately I’ve been throwing in the towel until I can find a better way. You may be the angel with an answer to my prayers. I can’t wait to check it out!

jenn nahrstadt

heather, this is so interesting! my son is a jr in high school and has made it through accelerated and AP classes without having to write yet!!! i’m so frustrated and concerned he’ll hit college and implode.

do you think it would be good for us to start at the beginning–he thinks he can write, but i’ve had to work with him on everything he has written and restructure it–or could we jump in at level 3?

thanks for highlighting this. it could mean the difference beteween a frustrated freshman and a successful one!

Alisha

If you have a student who is not capable of seeing in color a variety of dotted or dashed lines can be substituted for the colors. When I was in college we would double underline the main concept and single underline supporting sentences. Thats a technique I use now to help me study for the LSAT only now I underline the thesis (topic) and bracket relevant data and cross out anything which should be scoped out, or eliminated, from the argument on an illogical basis.

JoAnn McCracken

Heather, Thank you for introducing this curriculum to me. I ordered it today after reading through the website. My daughter is very excited to get started with it. We shall begin the first part of January. It may take us 4 years to get through, as we take many vacations during the year, but we will get through it.

http://www.omsh.com OMSH

jenn, I think that is a question to email Rebecca with, but I would say that if he can write strong sentences, and understands the idea of a Introductory Sentence, Supporting Sentences and a Concluding Sentence, that he could start in Paragraph. I don’t think I’d toss anyone into Essay willy-nilly, but that’s just from my own review. Again, I would contact Rebecca for a more experienced answer. She has taught this for a looooong while now.

Gail Parmentier

Meredith, I was scrolling through to see if anyone else had asked this. Thank you.🙂